U.S. Durable Goods Orders Drop 1.0% in May

Pullback in Military Spending Drags Down Overall Orders of Big-Ticket Items

By

Sarah Portlock

Updated June 25, 2014 12:04 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON—A pullback in military spending dragged down overall orders for big-ticket items from U.S. factories in May, but underlying readings showed business spending picking up from its winter slump.

Demand for durable goods—products such as cars and refrigerators that are designed to last at least three years—declined a seasonally adjusted 1.0% from April, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. It was the first decline in four...